Hearts face anxious wait over El Hassnaoui injury

BARRY ANDERSON

HEARTS are awaiting news on Soufian El Hassnaoui’s knee injury after sending the forward for a scan.

Medical staff at Riccarton decided to have the injury assessed further after Saturday’s match with Preston, during which the player appeared to twist his knee. Head coach Robbie Neilson is hopeful that the problem is not serious but El Hassnaoui had to leave the pitch minutes before the end of the 1-0 defeat at Deepdale. He went for a knee scan last night in the hope of getting an exact diagnosis for the injury, although further tests may be required before it is known exactly how long he will be sidelined. The 25-year-old has not had his injury troubles to seek since arriving at Tynecastle last summer. He had to recover from a groin problem this time last year and then damaged his ankle playing against Rangers in November. As well as this new knee complaint, he sustained a cracked molar tooth playing in last week’s friendly against Stirling Albion. Neilson and the Hearts coaching team will hope that the Dutch-Moroccan can make a quick recovery as the new Scottish Premiership season looms on the horizon. Hearts entertain St Johnstone in their opening game at Tynecastle on August 2, although it remains to be seen whether El Hassnaoui will be available for the opening weeks of the campaign.